Chapter 162 – Empire Strikes Back (1)
"By the way, it is incredible," said one of the 'He's an Orc, yet still Praiseworthy' members as he moved a ladle through a big pot of stew. His name was Alex.
“Leaving your country for the sake of the sword…”
Adandator's eyes flashed as he opened them. “It is because I am willing to leave the country that I'm so good at the sword. Haha."
Adandator was a named NPC. He was called the strongest knight in the south, a land with the largest number of human users. Another named NPC, Northern Conqueror Crockta had beaten Adandator in a duel.
Crockta and Adandator were now sitting in front of them. This was the best place as a user of Elder Lord.
“I guess you grew up with a spoon in your mouth," Crockta suddenly said.
"Huh?"
"Look at you abandoning your country because your sword is blocked. You are a noble, yet you grew up into such a selfish person."
The members of 'He's an Orc, yet still Praiseworthy' looked at Adandator after Crockta's words. Adandator sat there pretending to be unconcerned, but his hands were shaking.
“Besides, aren't I stronger because I work hard and have talent? Then this prideful guy appeared."
"You bastard!" Adandator couldn't bear it anymore and jumped up.
"Do you want to play again?" Crockta laughed while tapping his greatsword.
Adandator took deep breaths and closed his eyes, before slowing sinking back into his seat.
"……"
“Well done." Crockta explained to the 'He's an Orc, yet still Praiseworthy' members. “This is what I call re-socialization. The process of regaining anger control and sociability…"
“Not true!” Adandator pulled out his sword and pointed it at Crockta. “Let's do it again!"
Crockta shrugged and said, “You still need some lessons in socialization."
Crockta got up from his spot. It didn't take long this time. Crockta dragged Adandator, who was now limp, and placed him next to the pot.
“Kulkulkul."
Adandator raised his head as he slowly regained his spirit.
"Kuoong…"
He held his head and groaned as if it were in pain.
"It smells good."
Crockta didn't care and examined the contents of the pot. The stew meat that Crockta had hunted and the forest's spices and herbs. The meat wasn't spared and rose to the surface, revealing all of the fat.
“It might be hard later so enjoy this meal."
The 'He's an Orc, yet still Praiseworthy' members grew nervous at Crockta's words. Crockta's letters had brought the emperor's wrath upon them, and now the empire's great army would come. Crockta made his enemies come to him, meaning that while the other areas would be safe, they were in a more deadly crisis.
“You can escape at any time."
"No," they replied.
Crockta nodded. The Heaven and Earth Clan was among the enemies. There were only a few 'He's an Orc, yet still Praiseworthy' users here, but they would try their best. They followed Crockta despite knowing this risk.
The silent Adandator suddenly asked, "Do you really believe you can win?"
He knew the empire well. Then he told Crockta what he knew. The empire was too big to break down with this power. Apart from the well-trained troops, the abundant crops were endlessly harvested. Furthermore, the knights and magicians were trained with an organized system. Crockta might be strong but he couldn't deal with all those people. It might be possible with that flash of light, but it wasn't enough because Crockta couldn't fully use it yet.
“Winning or losing isn't important.”
Crockta grinned. He hit the shoulder of Adandator, a knight who still hadn't learned anything.
“I’m a warrior. A warrior pays back any favor or vengeance."
***
The troops gathered.
Rommel looked at them and smiled. It was the greatest number of soldiers he had ever commanded. The well-trained soldiers, knights and the Heaven and Earth members who always moved like his limbs, they were all in his grasp.
He rode his horse to the forefront of the formation. The rider flying the flag of the empire was close behind him.
Keynes spoke up from next to him, “Rommel."
"Yes."
“Did you receive the quest?"
Rommel nodded. "Now is the real start."
Keynes' face was excited. As soon as the emperor gave them a command, a quest had been received. It was a large-scale linked quest that had never appeared in Elder Lord.
[This is a large-scale linked quest on the continent.]
[Raise the fires of the species war!]
[Deal with the rebels in the south and remove all impure molecules.]
[The completion conditions are as follows.]
[Get rid of the empire's public enemy, Crockta.]
[Occupy Espada, which has rejected the empire.]
[Unite the south under the name of the empire.]
[There are three conditions.]
[Adequate compensation will be given upon completion. Good luck.]
All members of the Heaven and Earth Clan received the quest. It was the largest scale ever, so all the clan members were excited. Looking at the momentum of the empire, it was enough to complete the quest.
"We will resolve it in order," said Rommel. He was staring at the quest window in the air. “Get rid of Crockta and then go to Espada. After that, the south will be one."
“Hrmm…” Keynes smiled and asked, “Should we really do that?"
"Huh?"
“He is trying to bring us into his domain, so we should show him how silly that idea is."
Rommel thought about it and nodded. “I understand."
“We will let that cocky orc bastard know the gap between us."
“Will the NPCs follow?"
“We have this." It was an edict delegating full authority to them. “If he wants to draw aggro, we should draw the aggro back."
After listening to Keynes, Rommel raised his hand and the rider raised the flag. A horn sound was transmitted towards all the troops. Rommel and Keynes starting moving. The army was one step behind them. The troops began to move forward. The knights escorted the formation in the wings, while the soldiers walked towards the battlefield with their spears. The scouts moved ahead of the procession. The army was spread out in rows and columns.
Rommel asked as he looked at the backs of the scouts, “Will he come?"
"He will come." Keynes smiled. “It is obvious when looking at his track record. We don’t need to go looking for him."
“I understand."
Rommel and Keynes turned. The army followed them. They headed towards the other side of Nataliya Forest.
One of the knights from the White Lion Knights approached them. He was the deputy leader who led the knights, as Adandator was currently ill. He was an experienced knight.
"Nataliya Forest isn't in this direction."
Keynes replied with a smile, “We aren't going to Nataliya."
“Crockta is at Nataliya."
“Sir Betring doesn't know him well: Crockta isn't a normal person. He is a shameless guy, so we can't allow things to go as he wants."
"Then?"
“It is a lesson I taught before. Don't go into the enemy's trap; lure the enemy into your own."
“I remember."
“This is the same thing. Crockta tried to lure us, but we won't fall for it. Instead, we will bring him to us."
Betring nodded at the words. His face was convinced. “I understand what you want to do. But are you sure he will come?"
The direction they were heading wasn't towards Nataliya. It was Espada.
“Of course. He is a righteous person."
“Hah…” Betring looked up at the sky. “If he was born a human, he would've been a knight. It is a pity."
“Instead, we have you and Sir Adandator."
“I still can't be compared to Sir Adandator." He laughed. “I do like those words. Anyway, I understand."
Betring returned to the White Lion Knights. Keynes looked at his back and chuckled.
“Disgusting.”
"……"
“We know that we are bad guys, but they are just deluding themselves. They aren't knights, just iron-clad contractors."
“Your words are correct." Rommel thought about Crockta and declared, “Crockta is the best knight."
“Yes, that’s right.” Keynes shrugged. “An orc is the one who acts more like a knight than anyone else. How funny. That is how he became the empire's public enemy and our stumbling block. This is why life is funny."
A public enemy was closer to a knight than the actual knights. Those knights were now under Keynes and Rommel's leadership, who were villains.
“It means there is no god."
Rommel turned and waved his hand. It was towards a member of the Heaven and Earth Clan. Other than Rommel, he was the most well-known member of Heaven and Earth.
The one responsible for Heaven and Earth's public relations. BJ Heaven and Earth.
“Hey, BJ.”
"Yes!"
“Start the broadcast."
"Huh?"
“A large-scale quest is in progress and the goal is to unite the south. We should show people why we are the Heaven and Earth Clan."
"Ah, yes!"
“You take good care of the ratings. Well done."
"Thank you." BJ Heaven and Earth laughed. “Then I'll do it properly."
***
"I'm bored."
He was lying on the sofa in the manager's office and watching his tablet.
“There is no one funny…"
He had a taste for Internet broadcasting these days. When he was bored, he would watch broadcasters play games or communicate with people in real time. It was the best way of killing time. He searched for the famous female BJ, Elizabeth. Due to her beautiful appearance, she was a popular Elder Lord player.
“Not here." Baek Hanho rolled his body. "Umm?"
It was the recent No.1 ranked BJ. The BJ from Heaven and Earth TV. His broadcast was marked as online. In an instant, viewers gathered.
Baek Hanho frowned. "These bastards…"
He clicked on Heaven and Earth TV.
“The degree of these guys when they start broadcasting…I should give it a try…ughh…"
As he watched the Internet broadcasts, Baek Hanho started to develop a dream of becoming a BJ. Women cheered whenever Andre appeared.
"Hoh."
Baek Hanho whistled as the screen was displayed. The scale was truly enough to be ranked first. A large number of troops filled the field of view. They were marching on the plains. The appearance of the knights and the army was enough to heat up the hearts of men.
Baek Hanho opened a chat window. His nickname was 'White Tiger.'
[White Tiger: You guys…this…what is it..~?
Chatter ~
Jiri Mountain: Uncle…
I'm Hungry Sob Sob: The Heaven and Earth Clan received a large-scale quest and is going to war.
Orc is the Best: Heaven and Earth will fall to Crockta Heaven and Earth will fall to Crockta Heaven and Earth will fall to Crockta Heaven and Earth will fall to Crockta Heaven and Earth will fall to Crockta Heaven and Earth will fall to Crockta
I'm Hungry Sob Sob: But one person can't go against an army~
Jiri Mountain: It seems the legend of Crockta will end.
*White Tiger: Crockta… are they fighting…~?
Passing Swallow: ㅇ ㅇThey will hit Crockta and then start a species war.
*White Tiger: Wow~~!
Passing Swallow: No one can fight them… I wonder if Crockta will be in the war?
Dreaming of a New Spring: I saw him in a village.]
Baek Hanho's hands trembled. A massive army. There were also NPC knights. Even Crockta would be in a crisis. A great crisis.
He jumped up.
"Heaven and Earth? These bastards…!"
He threw the tablet and opened the door of the manager's office. The members of the gym looked at Baek Hanho. However, he left the gym without caring.
Crockta. He was White Knight Andre’s prey.
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.
Chapter 163 – Empire Strikes Back (2)
'Undergames', a broadcasting channel specialized for games, acquired a tip first. It was news that Elder Lord's best-selling 'War Maestro' Rommel and the Heaven and Earth Clan were beginning their large-scale quest.
The quest wasn't an ordinary raid. War-content that couldn't be seen on a peaceful continent. This time, it wasn't a small, contained skirmish, but rather a vast, extensive war that made use of a great army.
Recently, the Heaven and Earth Clan had formed a closer relationship with the kingdom and it was reported that they were leading the empire's army. It was a real war.
Channel Undergames, which had grown quickly through Elder Lord, didn't want to miss this event. So they decided to postpone the PvP contest and organized a special program that relayed the quest progress in real time.
They negotiated with the Heaven and Earth Clan and paid a large amount of royalties. Then they launched a new online channel filled with commentators aside from BJ Heaven and Earth.
The name:
(TL: Seems to have taken the name from a Buddhist saying that includes Heaven and Earth)
They just used words that looked great, but this childish name attracted people's attention. Then the broadcast started. It was a hardcore program that tracked the Heaven and Earth Clan 24 hours a day in real time.
The storytelling was already overflowing. They were the knights of the emperor who fought for the empire's revival, and those who opposed it were rebels. Towards the unrighteous, the empire knights and the Heaven and Earth Clan would raise their swords.
The Heaven and Earth Clan became the hottest topic.
"Aren't they just slaughtering weak people?" There were some people who said it, but their opinions were ignored.
Those were just human rights people. The ones being killed were NPCs.
It was enough to create a Heaven and Earth mania.
***
“The goal is the occupation of Espada."
Rommel explained.
“If necessary, wipe them out."
–Rommel truly is incredible. Look at that charisma. The NPCs can't even move their heads and are being conducted. That is the dignity of a general
–The one who makes that formation is Rommel. He was such a person from the beginning. Choi Hansung was a professional gamer in the past. He was always an imposing friend. I always knew he would become big.
The other leaders were riding beside Choi Hansung. Keynes chewed on his apple and laughed.
“Disgraceful bastards are trying to use tricks to ruin the empire. Cut off the bud here. So reconciliation is no longer a choice."
“What about those who resist?"
“Don’t be naïve. We have already given them enough opportunities. This price is their own fault."
"Kuoong. I understand."
–That is the vice master of the Heaven and Earth Clan, Keynes. He was the leader of the now disappeared Thawing Balhae Clan. If Rommel is the field commander of Heaven and Earth, Keynes is the brain. The Zhuge Liang of Elder Lord! Then isn't it General Rom and Keynes Liang? Kelkelkel!
-General Rom and Keynes Liang! Those nicknames are good. Hahahat.
"And Crockta." Keynes said while chewing on the apple. “Let’s show it well before he gets here. How many people will die because of him."
–Crockta! He is now rebelling against the empire. He is an NPC who entertained people's eyes and ears, but isn't his opponent the Heaven and Earth Clan?
–It is regrettable. While it is difficult to make conclusions, an individual and an army are two different things. It is a fact that there is an objective difference in power. A fact. Perhaps Crockta's biography will end here… I feel like that. It is too bad. What would it be like if Crockta was a human and joined Heaven and Earth? I have such regrets.
The knights and infantry commanders nodded. They retreated. Now only Keynes and Rommel remained in the tent. They looked at each other.
"In the end, we've arrived here."
“Indeed.”
“Let's make it cool. Now it is starting."
“Huhu."
Rommel and Keynes fist bumped each other.
"Heaven and Earth."
“War!"
-Kya! It is wonderful. Heaven and Earth, war!
–The symbol of the Heaven and Earth Clan. Heaven and Earth is war, war is Heaven and Earth. I have confidence.
It was a directed scene, but the viewers had already fallen into the characters and couldn't recognize it. After the slogan, the screen slowly faded out. It was a broadcast break.
–This is Elder Lord, the realism! It is a game that maximizes the realism. Kuhahahat, anyway, there are difficulties.
–Why are you talking here, aren't you the narrator? Kuhuhuhu.
–Kuhahat, I'm sorry. I have a very fixed opinion. Huhut. So, friends, there are many things for you to see. I have to go to the bathroom. Then we will be having a short break. We will play highlights of the Heaven and Earth Clan so that viewers won't become bored until the broadcast starts again.
–See you in a while.
The screen switched to a recorded broadcast.
Rommel appeared. The Heaven and Earth members were moving in unison under his command. It was a quest where the Heaven and Earth Clan was proceeding with mass destruction. The well-trained soldiers systematically subdued the enemies.
This type of warfare was why people loved Heaven and Earth.
***
"The commentary is too biased." Yoon Bora complained as she watched the broadcast. "Just watch. Crockta will break the Heaven and Earth Clan."
“Aren't there too many soldiers?" Ban Taehoon replied.
"Hey. Didn't he conquer the north alone? Who is Crockta?"
“We didn't see what happened in the north so we don't know. If Crockta can win against that army alone, he is a god, not an orc."
“Isn't Crockta a god?"
“Are you a fool?"
“Are you saying that to me?"
Yoon Bora and Ban Taehoon started fighting. Yiyu drank her americano with a disinterested face before complaining, “You talk about Elder Lord every time we meet."
“You can do it too. Ah, didn't you die because of a rabbit?"
"Death."
They were waiting for Park Jungtae. During the school holidays, he went abroad to volunteer and recently came back, so they were having a gathering. He was the only member who had spent the holiday elsewhere.
“That’s right. Didn't both of you eat delicious food without me?" Ban Taehoon asked.
"Uh. It was really good. I never knew kimchi and soybean paste could taste so good."
"Isn't it petty to go without me?"
“Heh. You should protest to Yiyu's oppa?"
“What is with the Oppa?"
“Now he is an Oppa." Then Yoon Bora asked Yiyu. “By the way, is he okay?"
"Yes. It was nothing."
“I’m glad.”
At this moment, Ban Taehoon interrupted. "Hey, Jung Yiyu. You should be careful of Yoon Bora. This girl is now aiming for your brother. Look at her eyes."
“Why? Are you jealous?"
“Uwek."
“Don't make that sound. I will restrain you."
Then Park Jungtae appeared in the distance. He had gone to Africa so his face was tanned. He looked around and smiled after finding them, "It has been a while."
“Ohh Jungtae."
“Did you come?”
He sat down next to Ban Taehoon. The two of them bumped fists, waved their fingers and bumped shoulders.
“Yo man."
“Wassup man."
“Long time no see."
“Guten tag!" (German for good day)
Yoon Bora shook her head as she watched them babbling. They hugged lightly and ended the greeting.
“Did your service go well?"
"Yes. It was fun."
He had gone to Africa to build houses for the poor. In other words, he was doing hard labour. His body was tanned and muscular, as if he was an athlete. Park Jungtae talked about the things that happened, while the rest nodded with admiration.
“You really suffered."
“Good work."
Park Jungtae smiled brightly at Yiyu's compliment.
“Should we have a drink today?"
"Hey, did you drink there? Or did you eat anything like African snake?"
“I couldn't drink there."
They got up and left the cafe.
***
“Heaven and Earth!"
“War!"
The mounted knights moved first and broke through enemy lines. The enemy's formations were destroyed. The Heaven and Earth members followed behind. Two infantry battalions collided. The clan members shouted their slogan as they wielded their weapons.
The rebels had fallen into chaos from the cavalry penetration and couldn't block their attacks. Like a dam breaking, the clan members moved through the formation. Their vision became blurry but they moved forward tenaciously, staring at the empire's flag that was flapping far away.
–This is it. This is the power of the cavalry. The rebels tried to stop them with spears and barricades, but the imperial knights weren't easy.
–The Heaven and Earth members are also great. They sweep through the enemies like fallen leaves.
–Wasn't it not long ago that users didn't dare fight NPCs? That has changed. It isn't an exaggeration to say that it changed after the emergence of the Heaven and Earth Clan.
The scene filled up the broadcast screen. The rebels' formation was destroyed by the cavalry running around. Every time the knights charged, the rebels were trampled on. Then the infantry and Heaven and Earth members cleaned up the rest of the enemies.
The cavalry overran the enemies and trampled on those still on the ground. There was the occasional bombardment from magicians. The rebels screamed as they were burned. The flames spread and bodies piled up.
–Amazing.
–The whole world is watching the battle of the Heaven and Earth Clan. The number of viewers in the Undergames overseas channel is enormous.
All of this was being conducted by Rommel. Rommel waved his hand. He took control of the battlefield, and everything was under his vision.
-War Maestro Rommel! He can see the entire battlefield.
The commentators were proud.
***
Yoon Bora drank her beer and asked, “Is this a war?"
Yiyu watched the broadcast from next to Yoon Bora and replied, "Yes. Aren't the opponents just residents, not soldiers?"
"Really? I guess their clothing is really shabby."
The rebels were pushed by the empire in terms of numbers and equipment. Their appearance looked like men who had been farming for all their lives. They were killed in turn by the well-trained imperial army.
"It is too cruel."
“What’s wrong with that? They are NPCs."
"Still…"
Yoon Bora opened a chat window. There was also wonder and praise there.
[Dial Fresh: What is this war? It really defies my expectations.
Simabukuro: Honey jam? What are your expectations? Do you expect anyone to go against the Heaven and Earth Clan? How absurd.
Paper Cup Duo: ㅉㅉ This is the level of the Heaven and Earth Clan.
Toothbrush and Perfume: Shout General Rom!! General Rom!!
I'm Hungry Sob: The duo of General Rom and Keynes Liang ㅅㅅㅅㅅㅅㅅ
Dune Multiplex: ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Isn't the empire just massacring people? Is this cool? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ Don't admire murderers.
White keyboard: Dune Multiplex// I am a person who kills in the game and I can verify how fun it is.
Lukas Graham: The commentators are exaggerating ㅋㅋ The opponents are too weak.
Seven Eggs: I haven't watched it but I have a lot of complaints ㅉㅉ if the game is like reality, won't PTSD occur? ㅋ ㅋ ㅋ
Storage Mistake: I agree with the one above me.]
“Ah, I can't look."
Yoon Bora turned away from the screen. Park Jungtae and Ban Taehoon's seats were empty.
“That boy doesn't smoke yet he still follows."
This was a chicken and beer pub. Ban Taehoon went out for a quick smoke and the non-smoker, Park Jungtae followed. They stood side by side at the entrance of the store.
"Cheers." Yiyu and Yoon Bora made a toast.
“Yiyu, isn't your Oppa playing Elder Lord as well?"
"Yes. He had been working harder lately."
“Will he be watching this broadcast?"
"Oppa…"
Yiyu started thinking. It was a broadcast of a battlefield where many people died. Furthermore, it was just a one-sided massacre.
Yiyu shook her head. “Won't he really hate this?"
***
Crockta stood in the devastated Demeterun. There was nothing left. The imperial troops poured the corpses into a pit and set them on fire. Now only the seared bones remained as small traces.
"……"
Adandator was silent behind Crockta. He knew that the emperor had ordered Crockta's death. That's why he hurried to find Crockta. If Crockta died, he would never know the identity of that light.
But Rommel had attacked Espada. He knew Crockta well.
"A smart guy." Crockta had come running as soon as he heard. But Demeterun had already been ruined.
“It seems like it hasn't been a long time since they passed." Alex said.
The imperial army was heading for Espada after devastating Demeterun. They would destroy everything in their way. Crockta found a piece of cloth that was torn and burnt on the ground. It was a flag. It was hard to see but the words 'There is no emperor in the south' were written on it. The resistance army would've swung it.
"…Let's go. Crockta opened his mouth.
"You're going?" Adandator asked.
“I need to hurry before they do this again."
The 'He's an Orc, yet still Praiseworthy' members nodded.
Adandator scratched his head. He didn't know what he should do. He had become closer to Crockta after spending a few days together, but he couldn't go against his kingdom.
"You can go, Adandator," Crockta told him.
“Is it okay?"
“This isn't your job, which is understandable."
Adandator sighed and said, “I’m thankful for those words."
"But I will tell you one thing," Crockta said as he turned to him. Adandator flinched as he saw the blazing anger in Crockta's eyes. “If we meet on the battlefield, I won't hesitate to kill you."
Praise the Orc:
Current schedule: There will now be 14 chapters a week, meaning two chapters every day.